2024-01-07 10:33:56
The study looked at anonymised data from GP practices in the UK and followed 17,130 autistic participants without a learning disability, 6,450 autistic participants with a learning disability and a control group of people matched for age and gender , exempt from TSA. The analysis reveals that:
- autistic men without learning disabilities have an average life expectancy of 74.6 years, and autistic women without learning disabilities, approximately 76.8 years;
- the life expectancy of people diagnosed with autism and learning disabilities is approximately 71.7 years for men and 69.6 years for women;
- the usual life expectancy – here of the witnesses – is around 80 years for men and around 83 years for women.
This analysis, which therefore provides proof that people diagnosed with ASD have, in general
a shorter life expectancy, shortened by 6 years on average,
reflects the urgent need to combat the inequalities that affect autistic people. The analysis, however, results in a more modest gap than the more widely held idea of a life expectancy of 16 years less for autistic people.
A specific need for care and support: lThe lead author, Josh Stott, professor of psychology at UCL, comments on this initial data:
“Autism itself does not, to our knowledge, directly reduce life expectancy,
However, autistic people face health inequalities and lack access to the support and care they need. This clearly has an impact on their life expectancy”. Numerous reports indicate social exclusion and difficulties in accessing appropriate care.
Researchers add that when autistic people get the care and support they need, they live long, healthy and happy lives. The other lead author, Dr Elizabeth O’Nions, from UCL Psychology, adds: “Autistic people and their families are increasingly campaigning, and rightly so, for recognition that autism reflects a natural and expected variation in brain functioning and that society must make room for all” .
Finally, although these results show a more modest difference than one might imagine, without an adequate level of support and care, people with autism will continue to see their life expectancy reduced.
This research therefore constitutes a new alarm signal for health policies and organizations.
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